Romantics Anonymous...

Another movie you really must try and track down.
Quirky. Fun. Touching.
French.
I loved it.

Accepting the inevitable...

To cheat or not to cheat... THAT is the question...

It's over a week now since I have posted - and this from someone who was going to blog on a daily basis this year. It's my first major slip up... and though I could list many things that got in the way, I'm not much of a fan of excuses, admission of guilt is somehow easier. And inevitable.

Having said that, I am going to share with you what I have been up to and give you a quick round-up, of my life since last week...

I have been busy with school. I have had regular Tuesday night classes for the last 4 weeks which have been fantastic. Some of it confronting, a lot of it challenging, and all of it confirmation that this is right. I may not know the destination at this point, but I do know that I am on the right path.

I had last Friday and Monday off and spent nearly the entirety on art and study. It was a really good chance to re-visit some of the theories and practices we have covered so far, and a chance to ponder and reflect. I also managed to finish one of the major parts of the first module which I was happy with, though I have yet to complete a 2000 and a 1000 word essay in the next few weeks. No time to take a break.

Last Friday night I had a friend come and stay and it was lovely to see her. She came straight from work and we went out for dinner, did the final artwork for her upcoming wedding, went out to brekkie the next morning, and spent time hanging out in the city for a few hours, just browsing the shops and sitting by the river with a drink. All the while chatting without break. About all the important things, work, family, weddings, love, loss and grief, clothes and internet dating... Pretty much everything! So so nice to catch up.

I have seen 3 movies, all of which I would recommend - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, My Week with Marilyn and The Artist.

Wow - what a line up. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a delight to watch - full of colour and spirit, and a great cast to boot. An extraordinary adventure into the exotic.

My week with Marilyn was a moody and beautifully shot insight into another era and beautiful to watch. Both Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne were fantastic.

The Artist was an unexpected surprise. Despite it's awards, it was not top of my viewing list, but due to an expiring ticket, I took the chance. Wow. It was really really good. I Loved it. Totally connected with the characters and was captured from beginning to end.

I have been on bookdepository.com and ordered a few books which will add to my pile of reading, as I have realised very early that my reading will have to increase if I am to even survive, let alone thrive, in this course. The TV is not getting much of a showing, apart from maybe a couple of faves, but none of this gazing blankly at the screen when the viewing is of no real interest.

Last Sunday I was invited to a family dinner to farewell my cousin's daughter who is off to India for 3 months of volunteer work. Such exciting times. And so nice to be a part of it and hang out with the young people of my family. They are such great company and full of energy and character.

Work has been ok. Quiet on a few days which has allowed me to catch up on some additional reading and internet surfing/googling. And this morning, my blog. If it lasts for a few hours I may even add in some posts for the last few days.... just to fill a few of the gaps.

I'm feeling good today. It's a Friday, the sky is a bright autumnal blue and I am looking forward to a busy weekend.

Enjoy!

Like Crazy...

Yesterday I went and saw this movie, and whilst I would probably agree with my friend who thought it was a bit slow, I still really liked it.

It was about a couple who meet while she is in the USA on a student visa and (of course) fall in love. The match, seemingly made in heaven, is made more complicated when she overstays her visa.

It's an insight into long distance relationships, lives complicated by distance and bureaucracy, and for me was pretty on the button.

It was a long time ago that I was in the early stages of a similar relationship (though not quite so restricted by the authorities), and I recognised a lot of the situations and connected with a lot of the emotions and frustrations.

It's worth a look. Don't expect a tearjerker or a chick flick romance, and it's not essential cinema big screen viewing, but take a look sometime.

I'm not selling it so well here, but I liked it, and I think it's worth a look.

Hugo, I love you...

I finally went and saw the movie Hugo today. And thank goodness I got to see it at the cinema, because THIS is one of those movies that you really SHOULD see on the big screen.

And whilst I'm not a huge fan of 3D movies (they often seem to be 3D for no real reason, going for a wow factor that is perhaps absent in the actual film), Martin Scorsese has created magic that is truly enhanced by the 3D effect. It is beautiful.

If you have seen it, I hope you enjoyed it too.
If you have not seen it yet, try and get to it at the cinema while you can.
Lose yourself for a couple of hours.

The Butterfly Circus for you to watch...

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

The Butterfly Circus...

Have you seen The Butterfly Circus? It's a magical short film that was introduced to me by my Dad and has become a favourite. In fact everyone who I have recommended it to has been equally entranced.

I recommend you track it down and take some time out to watch it too. It's just over 20 minutes, so grab yourself a drink, make yourself comfortable and lose yourself for just a little while.

You can watch it here on the website...

And once you've seen it and decided you'd like a copy for yourself, you can buy it here. And if you really like it and want to give a few copies away to friends, like my Dad did at Christmastime, you can buy a pack of five here.

Mahna Mahna...

Yes. I went to the see the Muppet Movie last night. And yes, it's corny and it's silly, but it's the Muppets through and through...

And I loved it. (In a Muppet kind of way you understand)

If you are a fan, get out there and see for yourself. Take along a little kid and introduce them to your childhood friends... but if you don't have any kids to take along, go along anyway. The number of adults far outweighed the number of children in the cinema last night.

And I challenge you to leave without having a few all too familiar tunes stuck in your head!

Let me start you off...
Mahna Mahna...

It's time to play the music...

It's time to light the lights...

It's time to meet the Muppets...

Their Movie Premiere's tonight!

Yippee! I love The Muppets.

I for one will be going to see it pretty darn soon.

Ma-na-ma-na.

Spending my weekend in bed with Harry...

A long long time ago... I read the first 5 books of the Harry Potter series. I loved the adventures and lives of the young wizards and witches and waited eagerly for each book to be published. I loved the characters and enjoyed the escape to Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. For whatever reason however, I did not read the final 2 books.

In the penultimate book, it was rumoured one of the favourite characters was going to die (though I did not know which one). And I knew the final 2 books had been read by millions and reviewed and discussed by thousands. I lived my life avoiding all discussions or HP related articles so as to avoid ruining the story. And yet both books remained on the shelf unread.

About 2 months ago now, I decided it was time to complete the series. And I grabbed a copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince from the bookshelf and began. And I read. Slowly. And I struggled to get involved. I am disappointed to say, I found the story dragged. Perhaps I was impatient, but it seemed to me Ms Rowling was determined to draw the story out. I got about a third of the way in and decided I couldn't do it. Her pace was frustrating, there was no enjoyment and eventually I lost interest and abandoned my quest... and waited for the movie.

Not my normal style, but I just could not be bothered. Sorry. To all the fans. To J K Rowling. And to Harry and friends. I apologise. But the movie was the only way I was going to make it to the final chapter. And now I have seen the movie and some more of the final mystery has been exposed and left me wanting for more.

And so as my Friday night precedes a quiet weekend, Harry and I are reunited. I will be spending my time in bed with Harry. Right to the very end. See you Sunday.